Mastering Your Stride: The Right Way to Improve Running Form and Economy

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You can find hundreds of different running form technique tips, drills and advice out there. In the end, there are two things that you can do to improve your running form and economy that will have the greatest impact.

🏃‍♂️ Run More

That’s it, the more you run, the better your running economy will get. And consistency is key here. It’s better to go for shorter runs more frequently than longer runs less frequently. For example, six 7 km runs in a week would be better than three 14 km runs. The body responds really well to that consistency, and you’ll see the results in your running form and technique.

💨 Run Fast

Something special happens when you pick up the pace – the body learns how to recruit the right combination of muscles, your stride naturally lengthens and improves, your posture strengthens, and things just start to click in a way that doesn’t happen when you’re “just” running easy. Remember to keep your balance of easy to hard running in check, however. While running fast improves your form and economy, most of your running should still be done at an easy pace.

Tip: Try incorporating strides a couple times a week, as they are a great way to see the tuning effects of faster running without taking a toll on your body.

With all that said, there are a few small things you can focus on with your form that will make a big difference:

Keep your body upright and tall
Relax your upper body, including your face and shoulders
Actively engage your glutes, especially on the uphills

Every runner is unique, and what works for one runner may not work for another. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to finding the most efficient and perfect running technique. However, by focusing on the keys that we have highlighted here, you’ll be on your way to developing the best form for you.